Tuesday 29 July 2014

Monday 27th July

A much calmer day. We had parked overnight within sight of the GlaxoSmithKline building. We have passed it many times on the M4 but this time we were on the other side.


The sky was an ominous dark blue/black colour but the rain held off. 

We completed 12 locks and passed the old Lunatic Asylum at Hanwell which is apparently being developed into housing. We couldn't see anything due to the very high walls. the Victorians certainly loved bricks! There is a bricked up wharf entrance where coal was delivered to the Asylum and produce from the gardens taken to market.


We are now moored at Willow Tree Marina and are returning home for a few days to catch up. Half way through our holiday - 202 miles and 140 locks.

Should be back on the water on Saturday.


Sunday 27th July

What a memorable day! We were booked to leave Limehouse Basin at 11.45am. One of the jobs which Graham needed to do was to call the Port of London Authority on the VHF radio to inform them that we were leaving.


Another narrowboat President Wensleydale was making the journey too. They were a group of young men and it was their first Thames trip too. The traffic light signal changed to green which indicated that the massive lock gates were open and we moved forward into the lock to wrap the bow and stern ropes round the vertical rods so that the ropes can move up and down as the lock fills and empties. I was on the bow rope and the lock keeper was directly above me as he worked the machinery. I asked him if he had a heart monitor! He assured me that the swell wasn't high and we would be fine. Everything happened so quickly. The lock emptied, the massive forward gates opened, the ropes were untied and we were off into The Thames.



The first bridge you meet is the iconic Tower bridge. Listening on the radio we heard that it would be raised at 12.30 pm but sadly not for us. You are told to take the starboard aches on bridges but no one can resist going through the central arch of this one!
From now on the famous sights came thick and fast. Too many photos to upload but a small selection follows.






And yes, I did the tiller


After about 90 mins we were past all the main sights and the number of trip boats, ribs and catamarans had died down and it was really a leisurely cruise. We were not now subjected to the wash from these boats but you still had to be alert to the other boats and river users. In fact at one point near Putney some dinghys were going back and forwards across the river. One man was just not watching- the horn was needed!

The other boat crew had unfortunately lost their radio overboard but we can confirm that they float! Our radio was being held very firmly on a wrist strap.



There was too much traffic at that point for them to retrieve it. After a while they overtook us and disappeared into the distance. We were in no hurry. 

After 3 hours we approached Brentford lock where the lockkeeper had the lock ready for us.

We had enjoyed a wonderful day and before we made the journey we had only met 2 couples who had enjoyed the experience. We are another pair of narrowboaters who found it exciting. 







Sunday 27 July 2014

Saturday 26th July

We set off for Limehouse filling with water after the Islington Tunnel. The fill was rather slow so we had plenty of time to admire the small house on the opposite bank. Which is next to a super modern house. 

Graham also noticed these rather unusual homes. They are being made from shipping containers.


After locking down with a couple on nb Marshalls we reached Limehouse Marina. It is very modern and the apartments look lovely. We looked at the prices in a local Estate Agents. They were eye-watering!
The marina is near to Canary Wharf and the DLR runs along one side of it. Some of the larger cruisers had come from Europe.


We watched some boats returning from the Thames having travelled down to Limehouse. They have a very difficult turn to make and one 30' narrow boat had already experienced a frightening journey as it had overheated and had called out the RNLI who escorted them to Tower Bridge. (About 15mins from the Marina) Seeing the large river lock in operation was both reassuring and scary but at least we know what to expect tomorrow although these boats were coming up in the lock and we are going down.

We went to a local pub called 'The Grapes' which was appropriately in Narrow Street as the pub was only about the width of 2 narrow boats! 



The food was very tasty and there was a tiny terrace at the back which overlooked the Thames and an Anthony Gormley statue of a man gazing down the Thames. The sun was setting and the restaurant boats and party boats were going up and down. A lovely evening.




Friday 25th July

After another good sleep we started the tourist trail again. We had decided to use buses and travelled to The London Eye.


A few pictures for you to identify.




The weather whilst we were on The Eye was great but then thunder and lightning started so we sheltered in Waterloo Station before visiting The Wallace Collection in Manchester Square.

When we returned to the boat a man had moored abreast but seemed sorry when we said that he could have our spot in the morning as he was going away on holiday and wanted someone to keep an eye on his! After the hassle we had getting a mooring we thought that he would be pleased. Tomorrow we head for Limehouse and the Thames.








Thursday 24th July

Woke this morning to a green canal with rubbish floating on the top. It looked like a solid carpet.



As we were eating breakfast we noticed urban foxes in the community nature reserve opposite.



We spent the morning making a few phone calls etc. and then walked to Battlebridge to look at the basin and canal museum - didn't go in as we were in the Stoke Bruerne museum only 2 weeks ago. We also went onto the viewing platform to see the regeneration which is continuing at Kings Cross. In this photo you can see the railway lines which actually pass under the canal.



A walk back along the tow path took us to Camden locks and market. A huge barge was going up through the locks. Apparently someone hammered a mooring pin through a high voltage electric cable ( it had been switched off 2 hours previously) and the barge contractor was responsible for ferrying the tools around to repair it. So far it has cost millions. They have not found the culprit.


We had never been to Camden Market before and as Graham said you needn't go to China or Thailand for fake goods now as they are all in Camden! The aromas in some parts were just like those in Abu Dhabi with the Sisha pipes.


Then popped down to John Lewis in Oxford Street and met Melissa from my Upholstery class as we were going up the escalator! Small world - and you are correct Melissa you did get a mention!
We ate a lovely Thai meal outside and then returned to our boat in time to see the light show from the nearby fountains. A lovely day.





Thursday 24 July 2014

Wednesday 23rd July

A very long and somewhat stressful day. Our mooring for last night was very peaceful and as you can see there was no one behind us. 

Coming out from the Slough Arm we met a dredger. The 5 mile  route into Slough is supposed to be quite shallow so at least some effort is being made to keep it clear.


Quite liked this boat. Cirrhosis of the River!


Passed the Nestle factory and down to Bulls Bridge for the left turn to London.



The canal was very quiet. Small clusters of liveaboards appeared occasionally but the bridges were few and far between which of course meant that liveaboards had no access to urbanisation. Although everyone enjoys peace there are times when access is needed.

Crossing the North Circular by aqueduct was satisfying as there were queues on the roundabouts and we were moving along nicely. 


Odd sights punctuated the steady progress. Not sure how they got this caravan up here and wouldn't fancy sleeping in it!


These workers obviously didn't like the view.


North Acton power station straddles the canal and then we passed an iconic disused gasometer.




I wonder if they applied for planning permission?


Getting much nearer to London now which is obviously suffering from a bloom in Canadian Pond weed!




One way to cool the drinks in this glorious weather.

And so we reached Little Venice and Paddington Basin. Not a chance of any mooring. What to do? Return out of the centre to Kensal Green where we had seen visiting boats moored and try again tomorrow or continue on towards Limehouse and hope for the best. Fortune favours the brave so on we went. Past the Snowdon Aviary at London Zoo.



Past a dramatic Chinese restaurant at Cumberland Basin.

We reached the 3 locks at Camden which had a volunteer lock keeper to help and dozens of people watching us. Tourists are fine but not the many louts drinking lager by the third locks. The lockkeeper said that they don't cause trouble and the police are aware but that many more had appeared with the sunshine compare with previous weeks. 

Time was getting on and no moorings appeared although I did manage this shot of the old and new London living together.


Finally at 6pm when we were still wondering what to do we spotted a place behind Kings Cross. A young man arriving home at an adjacent boat confirmed that it was 14 days mooring and said that it was as safe as anywhere in London. Were we relieved! There are plenty of cyclists, walkers and runners about and when we went out in the evening to eat we discovered that the whole area called the Granary complex had been transformed. There were lots of people sitting enjoying the sun and later the colourful fountains. A short walk to Kings Cross station showed us how this too has changed.



All in all a good end to the day when we covered about 18 miles. We don't want the mooring probs. again so will rethink the next stage of the adventure but for now we are off to explore!











Tuesday 22 July 2014

Tuesday 22nd July



Another glorious day and hopefully the last one of doing many wide locks. 8 today and we are now beyond Uxbridge and nearly at Cowley Lock looking forward to the 15 mile pound to Paddington Basin. A couple of the locks had been left open for us and one had a volunteer lock keeper so we made good progress stopping for shopping, lunch and to buy gas and diesel.

A monkey hanging from a derelict cement factory.


Some houses could have been on Grand Designs.




The canal is very quiet. Apparently last year the volunteer averaged 28 boats a day. This year it is about 12. We just need some luck tomorrow as we try to moor in Paddington Basin.

Even in this Urban location there are some pretty lock keepers cottages.


At 11'1" Denham lock is the deepest on the Grand Union.


Is this really a paddle narrow boat?


Just after Uxbridge Lock the office blocks have started. Not unattractive and the water is very clear here.